Written Answers

Friday 24 November 2000

Scottish Executive

Bridges

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding costs incurred by local authorities in assessing the strength of bridges owned by Railtrack.

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are responsible for the costs of surveys to assess the strength of bridges owned by Railtrack.

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for local authority resources to be expended on surveys on behalf of Railtrack.

Sarah Boyack: No. The Scottish Office issued a circular in 1988 to Regional Councils as local roads authorities advising them of the need to undertake and fund the assessment and strengthening of relevant bridges to meet the 40 tonne standard for vehicles. In accordance with this circular local authorities have undertaken surveys of bridges from within the resources allocated to them under successive local government finance settlements, initially by the Scottish Office and latterly by the Scottish Executive.

Cashmere Industry

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7782 by Nicol Stephen on 14 August 2000, whether any specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of a possible 100% tariff on the Border’s cashmere industry and, if so, what that assessment is.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Estimates of the potential impact of US tariffs on the cashmere industry in the Borders were made by the industry in June, when a US announcement was expected, and were based on the industry’s order book at that time. The immediate impact of US action, now or in the future, would vary depending on the order book at the time. The Scottish Executive will continue to work hard until this threat has been lifted.

Community Care

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1933 by Iain Gray on 7 October 1999, what role day care centres play in assisting older people to reside in their homes for as long as practicable, in providing respite for carers and in preventing isolation.

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage the development of day care centres.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive recognises that day care centres can play a valuable role in assisting older people to reside in their own homes, in providing respite for carers and in preventing isolation.

  The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 requires local authorities to make provision for and develop those community care services they consider appropriate to meet the needs of their areas.

Compulsory Purchase

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its research commissioned on distinctive Scottish aspects of the operation of the compulsory purchase framework and whether it has set a timescale to complete its review of compulsory purchase and compensation legislation.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The research is due to be completed shortly and we will publish the findings in due course. We expect to publish a consultation paper next spring based on the review of compulsory purchase and compensation legislation.

Environment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government in relation to the UN Climate Change Summit being held in The Hague during November 2000, particularly with regard to the Kyoto Protocol.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Executive has worked closely with the United Kingdom Government in developing the United Kingdom negotiating strategy for the Sixth Conference of the Parties. Our aim is to reach an environmentally credible and effective outcome that will create the conditions to allow ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. Representatives of the Executive will be part of the United Kingdom delegation.

Ferry Services

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the recent court ruling in Germany that the German Baltic Sea ferry port of Puttgarden must not be opened to competitor lines by its owner and whether it has taken any action in relation to the proposed tendering of Caledonian MacBrayne routes in response to this ruling.

Sarah Boyack: The Executive is aware of a recent court ruling in Germany in which the court decided that a ferry operator could remain the sole operator from a particular port owned by that operator. However, it is understood that the court has not yet given the reasons for its decision so it is not possible to comment further on this particular ruling. In the UK, the owners of all harbours and piers are legally obliged to allow any vessel to berth, providing due fees are paid (section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act).

  However, the subject matter of this ruling, i.e. the exclusive use of a port, is not directly relevant to the proposed tendering of CalMac ferry services. The requirement to tender arises as a result of EC rather than domestic law.

Flood Prevention

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has evaluated the Hydroscience rapid expansion dam flood protection system currently being considered by Dumfries and Galloway Council for central Dumfries.

Mr Sam Galbraith: No. It is for councils to consider whether a temporary measure, such as the rapid emergency response offered by the Hydroscience system, would meet their needs.

Flood Prevention

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the comments by the First Minister on 9 November 2000 ( Official Report, col. 1572), what the "consequentials" are from the £50 million announced by John Prescott in relation to the flooding relief in England and Wales and what the impact will be in Scotland.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I announced on 17 November that Scotland will receive £5.2 million, spread over the period 2000-04, as a consequence of John Prescott’s announcement of additional resources for flood prevention being made available for England and Wales. We are actively considering how this additional resource should be used to strengthen arrangements for addressing flooding concerns in Scotland.

Flood Prevention

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the First Minister on 9 November 2000 ( Official Report,  col. 1573) what issues are to be reviewed in relation to approval for flood alleviation schemes and over what timescale.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The statutory requirements for ministerial approval of flood prevention schemes are there to safeguard the rights of individuals who may be adversely affected by proposed schemes. The Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 requires councils to notify those concerned about what they plan to do and show how this would affect their property.

  Clearly, the construction of flood defences on private land requires careful and thorough planning: the necessary studies to identify the right option can take time. However, the rate of progress towards providing protection depends initially on the efforts and priority given to flood prevention by councils.

  For our part, the Executive seek to progress schemes, once submitted for confirmation, as quickly as the statutory procedures allow. We do plan, however, to review the procedures to identify if improvements can be made. It is too early to be specific about the timescale involved but we shall take this forward as a matter of urgency.

Housing

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase funding to the Scottish Tenants Organisation.

Jackie Baillie: We have no plans at present.

Housing

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10649 by Jackie Baillie on 9 November 2000, whether any or all underspending in 2000-01 under (a) the empty homes initiative and (b) the rough sleeper initiative will be carried forward into 2001-02 and, if necessary, into subsequent financial years, and whether there is any mechanism to increase awards under these initiatives to compensate for cost increases resulting from delays in implementing approved projects.

Jackie Baillie: Funding under the Empty Homes and Rough Sleepers Initiatives was allocated on the understanding that the money would be spent in the year for which it was being sought. Therefore, no mechanism was established specifically to provide additional funding for councils to meet increased costs arising from delays in the implementation of projects. However, individual applications from councils for additional funds to cover increased costs are considered on their merits.

  All underspending on the Departmental Expenditure Limit will be carried forward into the following year.

Justice

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions have been secured as a result of CCTV evidence in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Colin Boyd QC: This information is unavailable.

National Lottery Funding

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to detail (a) the total lottery funding allocated to Scotland over each of the last three years, (b) what amount and percentage of the total was allocated for all arts and cultural projects and (c) what amount and percentage of the total was allocated for capital expenditure on arts and cultural projects.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The total amounts of lottery funding allocated to Scotland in each of the three years to 31 March 2000 were as follows:

  


1997-98


£125,336,331




1998-99


£125,533,102




1999-2000


£183,364,125




  As funds are allocated to projects by a number of distributors and records are not compiled centrally, it is not possible to provide the requested detailed breakdown. However, the Scottish Arts Council allocated the following amounts to arts projects in the years in question:

  


1997-98


£35,387,000




1998-99


£33,532,000




1999-2000


£16,576,000




  The drop in SAC allocated funds in 1999-2000 is explained by (a) the timing of the Capital Grant Committee’s decisions, which pushed the allocations into the following year’s accounts, and (b) the impending transfer of responsibility for film production to Scottish Screen from 1 April 2000, with the consequential movement of lottery funding, which meant that few decisions on film projects were taken in the year ending 31 March 2000. Lottery funds do not require to be allocated or spent in a particular year and can be carried forward.

National Stadium

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances led the Minister for Children and Education to believe that completion of a deal involving the Scottish Football Association taking over the management of Hampden was imminent and when he was advised that it was imminent.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all the co-funders of the Hampden redevelopment consider the Scottish Football Association deal to be the best option for the future operation and management of the stadium.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an alternative option lead by Glasgow City Council concerning the future management and operation of the National Stadium was proposed earlier this year and, if so, to provide full details of that option.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not sign up to any plan which does not have the Scottish Football Association in control and why this is an essential element of any plan.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish Football Association deal for the National Stadium is being pursued when the interim administrators for Queens Park FC consider that an alternative, better option for the stadium and the co-funders is available.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a letter has been received by the Minister for Children and Education from Gordon Christie of Arthur Andersen Consulting dated 24 February 2000; whether this letter states "whilst the Scottish Football Association deal appeared to be the next best option, it stresses that unless the additional funding is available, that deal would be impossible to progress." and what reaction it will give to this letter.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I apologise for not replying earlier to the member, and will write to her as soon as possible.

Nuclear Submarines

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government that it should negotiate with the Russian Government for the decommissioning of Russian nuclear submarines to be carried out at Rosyth dockyards.

Ms Wendy Alexander: This is a reserved matter which should be taken up with the Ministry of Defence or the local Westminster MP.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Affairs will reply to my letter of 25 May 2000 regarding my constituent, Mr George Home.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I apologise for the delay in answering this question. You will by now have received my reply of 10 November in response to your letter of 25 May.

Planning

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a windfarm development is considered to be an industrial application in planning terms.

Mr Sam Galbraith: It is for the planning authority in the first instance and ultimately for the courts to interpret planning legislation.

Planning

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of planning permission applications referred to it in each of the last five years where the Minister found against the recommendations of the reporter.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The information required is as follows:

  


Year


Total number of decisions 
issued


Reporter’s recommendation 
not accepted




1996


28


2




1997


23


0




1998


30


2




1999


46


4




2000
(to date)


21


4




TOTAL


148


12




  The cases where the recommendations of the Reporters were not accepted are:

  


1996


Proposed retail development at Heathfield, 
Ayr.


Refused



 

Proposed residential development 
at Muirhead.


Granted




1998


Proposed factory outlet centre at 
Levenfields, Kinross.


Refused







Proposed extension to hotel at Banchory.


Granted




1999 


Proposed retail development at Darnley 
Mains, Glasgow.


Refused







Proposed retail development at Hermiston 
Gait, Edinburgh.


Refused



 

Proposed residential developments 
(2) at Stonehaven.


Granted




2000


Proposed superquarry at Lingerbay, 
Isle of Harris.


Refused



 

Proposed factory outlet centre extension 
at West Calder.


Refused



 

Proposed retail developments (2) 
at Heathfield, Ayr.


Refused

Roads

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9553 by Sarah Boyack on 22 September 2000, whether the City of Edinburgh Council has referred to it any objections to the proposed Road Closure Order for Holyrood Road and, if so, what procedures were used to resolve any outstanding objections to the order, whether it is in a position to confirm the order, and whether it has done so.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I understand that the City of Edinburgh Council have not yet advertised any proposed Road Closure Order in respect of Holyrood Road.

Scientific Research

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the Science Research Investment Fund announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 5 July 2000 will be spent funding science in Scotland and what percentage of the money available under the fund this figure represents.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Executive is in discussion with the UK Government, other devolved administrations and the Higher Education Funding Councils about the detailed distribution of this new infrastructure fund. A formal announcement of the amount that will be spent in Scotland will be made when those discussions have been completed.

Scientific Research

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, by department, the scientific programmes which it sponsors or funds.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Executive sponsors or funds the following scientific programmes:

  Health Department

  The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department is responsible for encouraging and supporting research to improve both the health of the people in Scotland and the services provided by the NHS. CSO commissions work in specific priority areas and supports research initiated by the research community in Scotland.

  Rural Affairs Department

  The Environment group (RAD) funds an annual programme of research which is largely applied research with a policy focus but includes a number of projects each year which contain significant elements of scientific research.

  A programme of agricultural, biological and related research is funded by the Executive’s Agricultural and Biological Research Group (ABRG).

  Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department

  The Enterprise and Lifelong Department supports Higher Education research in Scotland through an allocation of funds, distributed by SHEFC, for research infrastructure. The Department also allocates funds towards technology transfer in Scotland. ELLD does not fund or sponsor any science research programmes grounded in the natural or physical sciences. It does support a departmental programme of policy-related social science and economic research in support of policy development and evaluation.

  Education

  The Education department has a rolling programme of policy-related Social Science research on children and young people, social work, arts, culture and sports.

  Development Department

  The Development department has an annual research programme of policy-related research which draws largely upon the social sciences and which occasionally has a project which includes scientific research.

  Justice Department

  The Justice Department has a tri-annual programme of policy relevant research which is grounded in the social sciences.

  Finance Department/Corporate Services/Executive Secretariat

  The above departments do not regularly sponsor programmes of scientific research.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the comments by the First Minister on 9 November 2000 ( Official Report, col. 1572), what the date of the proposed meeting with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is and whether representatives of local councils and the Parliament will be invited to attend.

Mr Sam Galbraith: My officials intend to meet the Scottish Environment Protection Agency soon to review the current flood warning arrangements in Scotland. This will include consideration of any improvements that could be made to the dissemination of information on flooding to those likely to be affected. Following this initial discussion, early consideration will be given on how best to take this forward, including discussion with other interested parties.

Sport

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how often Ministers have met representatives of  sportscotland since 1 June 1999, on what dates these meetings took place and what issues were discussed.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The following table provides the information requested.

  Meetings Between the Scottish Executive Ministers and Sportscotland:

  


Date


Minister


Subject


Standard Meeting/
At request of NDPB




21 June 1999


Rhona Brankin


Introductory meeting with sportscotland 
and review of draft Corporate Plan


Standard annual meeting




25 August 1999


Rhona Brankin


First formal meeting with Alastair 
Dempster as new Chairman


At request of NDPB




2 May and 27 June 2000


Rhona Brankin


Chairing Sport 21 Review Group 
meetings


At request of NDPB




30 May 2000


Rhona Brankin


Review of Draft Corporate Plan


Standard annual meeting




20 June 2000


Rhona Brankin


Presentation On Youth/School Sport


At request of NDPB




10 August


Rhona Brankin


Meeting with Chairman and new Chief 
Executive 


At request of NDPB




4 September 2000


Sam Galbraith


2000 Spending Review and Sport


At request of NDPB

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its organisational structure is with regard to transport and what the remit is of each element of that structure which has a transport responsibility.

Sarah Boyack: There are six Transport Divisions covering policy and operational issues and another Division offering economic and statistical advice. All are located within the Transport and Planning Group of the Scottish Executive Development Department.

  I will write to Mr MacAskill with a summary of these Divisions’ responsibilities and place a copy of the letter in SPICe.